Drapery pleating, folding and stretching apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for pleating, folding and stretching a drapery including a drapery support assembly that is extendible thereby increasing the drapery length capacity of the apparatus, and a new and improved drapery clamping assembly for applying a firm and uniform clamping to the lower folds of a drapery supported on the apparatus for stretching purposes.

llrrifmdl [72] Inventor Robert M. Kirche 4111 W. Arlmr Vim/e, Englm'mud, Calif, 90301 [21] Appl. No. 95,068 [22] Filed Dec. 4, 1970 [45] Patented Oct. 19, 19711 54 DRAPERY PLEATWG, r mum Mm STRETCHING 211 1 111 1! 3 16 Claims, 20 Drawing [52] 11.8. C1 223/32 [51] int. Cl 1100i 1/1110, D06 1/10, U06j 1/12, A4111 43/00 [50] Field of Search 38/104, 30, 32, 28, 139; 26/51; 223/51 [56] References Cired UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,954,907 10/1960 Bird 223/3221 3,279,661 10/1966 Kirche 223/32 3,315,352 4/1967 Getchellet al.. 223/32 3,424.356 1/1969 Getchell et :11 223/32 3,439,438 4/1969 Tuskos 38/104 3,506,169 4/1970 Hales 223/32 3,545,654- 12/1970 Soefflrer 223/32 Primary Examincr- Jordan Franklin Assismm Exmzzimer Geo v. Larkin /l.-ft-nmey-Gcraid L. Price ABSTRAQT: An apparatus for pleating, folding and stretching a drapery including a drapery support assembly that is extencli thoi'ehy increasing the drapery langth Capacity of the apparatus, and a new and improved drapery clamping as sembly for applying a firm and uniform clamping to the lower folds of a drapery supponed on the apparatus for stretching purposes.

, PAIENTEIIucI 19 ml SHEET 5 [1F 8 PATENTEDUCT 19 nan SHEET 8 [1F 8 irzmwzr 3.513.968 SHEET a 8 I PATENTEDBCT 19 I97! BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to apparatus for pleating and folding draperies and more particularly to an improved apparatus for use by commercial drapery cleaning establishments and the like whereby an operator can in a combined series of operations on said apparatus size the cleaned draperies by stretching same, fan fold the draperies and secure them in a folded condition for delivery and installation at the customers premises.

It is the general aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved drapery folding and stretching apparatus providing additional features and length capacity to my earlier apparatus as set forth in US. Pat. No. 3,279,661.

While the apparatus disclosed and claimed in my aforestated patent has enjoyed considerable commercial success, there has been a recognized need in the drapery cleaning industry for a unit of relatively low cost that is additionally capable of stretching cleaned draperies so as to overcome shrinkage occurring in the cleaning process so as to be able to return draperies to their original length or a length slightly varied therefrom that may be desired by the customer. In addition, in view of the many draperies being made today of lengths far greater than conventional ceiling heights of eight feet, there is also a clearly evident need in the industry for a drapery folding and stretching apparatus with a length capacity greater than the conventional floor to ceiling length of eight feet.

Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the instant type of conventional height, that may by a relatively simple operation be extended in height so as to increase its capacity for draperies of extra long length.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved clamping arrangement for stretching the cleaned draperies that will apply a uniform grip to the draperies so as not to distort same in the stretching operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a front elevational view of an apparatus embodying the invention, partially in section;

FIG. IA is a perspective view of an extension bar used with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partly in section, depicting the use of an extension bar shown in FIG. IA;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary rear elevational view, here showing an apparatus embodying the features of the present invention in an extended position for additional drape length capacity;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view partly in section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing the details of the pin bar latch;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7 showing the details of the pin linkage;

FIG. III is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified pin linkage finding use with the instant invention;

FIG. II is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line l1-Ill of FIG. I showing the interdigitated relationship of the fingers on the finger bar of the instant invention;

FIG. I2 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on line l2-l2 ofFIG. I1;

FIG. I3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line ll3-l3 of FIG. 12;

FIG. I4 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section similar to that of FIG. 12 but here showing a modified finger clamping bar finding use with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section similar to FIG. I4 but here showing the apparatus of FIG. 14 in a closed position;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing in detail the clamping actuating mechanism of FIG. 14;

FIG. I7 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section similar to FIG. 14 but here showing still another modified finger clamping bar finding use with the present invention;

FIG. I8 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section similar to that of FIG. 17 but here showing the finger clamping bar of FIG. I7 in a closed position; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective fragmentary view showing in detail the clamping actuating mechanism of FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS While particular embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, it is apparent that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. I through 4, an exemplary drapery folding and stretching apparatus, generally indicated at 20, is illustrated, the apparatus including a frame having a pair of laterally spaced base rails or channels 22, supporting a pair of laterally spaced parallel uprights 23 which extend vertically upward from the base rails. These uprights are formed to provide guide channels 26 for a drapery support assembly 24 which is movable up and down along the uprights and additionally, for a drape folding and stretching assembly 25 which is power driven by motor and transmission 27 so as to be movable up and down on said uprights. The drape folding and stretching assembly 25 is also slideably mounted within each upright 23 by a plurality of pins 29 extending from each end of the drape folding and stretching assembly and affixed to plates 30 which are journaled within each upright on a plurality of rollers 31. As best seen in FIG. 2, plates 30 are affixed to a continuous chain 33 in each upright 23 which extends over an upper pair of sprockets 34 and a lower pair of sprockets 35. The left lower sprocket 35 is power driven by motor and transmission 27. In order to drive the chains 33 within the right and left uprights, a shaft 37 (FIG. I) is employed to interconnect the left and right upper sprockets 34. Accordingly, it is readily apparent that the actuation of motor and transmission 27 depending upon direction will selectively advance the entire drape folding and stretching assembly upwardly or downwardly between the uprights 23.

The drapery support assembly 24 previously stated also; moves freely up and down between uprights 23 in a manner similar to that heretofore described with respect to the drape folding and stretching assembly 25, however, the drapery support assembly is unpowered. As best seen in FIG. 3, the drapery support assembly has a pair of pins 41 at each end thereof extending into the channel portion 26 of each said upright 23 and attached to plates 42. These plates are in turn, movably journaled within said channels by rollers 43 mounted on pins M which engage the channel portion.

In order to permit the drapery support assembly 24 to freely and easily be moved up and down between the uprights, plates 42 are connected to chains 45 and said chains extend upwardly therefrom over a pair of upper sprockets 46 and down through the rear portion of each said upright where they are connected to counterweights 47. The two upper sprockets 46 are connected together by a hollow shaft (not shown) that surrounds shaft 37.

In order to be able to secure the drapery support assembly 24 at any desired height, the right upper sprocket 46 is affixed to a brake and ratchet assembly generally indicated at 50 in FIG. 3. This brake and ratchet assembly 50 is controlled by a common cable 51 that is operated by a foot control pedal 52. The cable 51 is attached to both a spring-loaded ratchet release pin 53 and a brake 54 which extends around brake shoe 55. The ratchet wheel 56 which is engaged by pin 53 is affixed to the brake shoe and the upper right-hand sprocket 46 so that all three members rotate together. Accordingly, when an initial depression of foot control pedal 52 occurs, the spring-loaded ratchet release pin 53 disengages from the ratchet wheel 56 while the brake lining 54 still engages brake drum 55. Further depression of the foot control pedal then serves to release the brake thus allowing the drapery support assembly to be readily repositioned vertically to a desired position between said uprights.

From the arrangement heretofore described, it will readily be appreciated that when foot control pedal 52 is depressed so as to disengage both the ratchet release pin 53, from the ratchet wheel 56 and the brake lining 54 from the brake drum, the drape folding and stretching assembly 25 may by actuation of the motor and transmission by a switch (not shown) be power driven into contact with the drapery support assembly 24 and utilized to move the drapery support assembly to a desired position. At this desired position, the drapery support assembly can be then locked into place by releasing the foot control pedal 52 and the drape folding and stretching assembly can then be independently moved downwardly again under power to a desired position.

In accordance with one of the important aspects of the present invention, provision is made for attaching draperies firmly at each pleat thereof to the drapery support assembly to pennit both a stretching operation without damage to the drapery and to readily gather the pleats together for securing same in a folded condition. To accomplish this, a plurality of upwardly and angularly directed pins 60 (FIGS. 7 and 9) are carried on separate arms 61 each mounted at a separate pivot point of an expandable scissor linkage 62 mounted on the drapery support assembly 24. As best seen by referring concurrently to FIGS. 1 and 7, the entire complement of pins can be drawn together by actuation of handle 63 as shown in FIG. 7 so as to fold the upper portion of a drape attached thereto along the pleat lines thereof. To further insure free-sliding operation, and to eliminate binding, individual sliding members 65 are affixed to the rearward portion of each central pivot point on scissors linkage 62 and freely slide within channel 66 provided on said drapery support assembly 24 therefor.

As seen in FIG. 10, an additional pin arm 64 can be attached to each arm 61 to facilitate attachment of each pin to each pleat ofa drapery.

The drapery folding and stretching assembly 25 includes a first elongated duel bar assembly 70 carrying a plurality of fingers 72 and 73 (FIG. 11) and a folding bar 74 that is hinged to the dual bar assembly 70 and carries a plurality of fingers 75 that may, by upward and downward movement of the folding bar 74, be moved in and out of an interdigitated relationship with fingers 72 and 73. In FIG. 1, folding bar 74 is shown with fingers 75 completely removed from fingers 72 and 73 while in FIG. 11, fingers 75 are shown just entering their interdigitated relationship with fingers 72 and 73 and in dotted lines the completely interdigitated relationship is depicted.

In order to fold and tie draperies that have been cleaned with the instant apparatus, the procedure quite similar to that utilized in connection with my earlier US. Pat. No. 3,279,661 is employed. On the instant device, the foot control pedal 52 would be completely depressed and the drapery support assembly 24 would be positioned so as to be at a comfortable working height to enable the operator to attach the upper pleats of a drapery to the pins 60 at each pleat. The pins 60 would be positioned in the fully extended position of the scissor linkage 62.

During the time that the pleats on the upper portion of the draperies are attached to the pins 60, the drape folding and stretching assembly 25 would have been raised to a position abutting the drapery support assembly 24 and the folding bar 74 lifted prior to the attachment of the draperies to the drapery support assembly 24, to a position above the pins 60 (FIG. 1). After the attachment of the drapery to the pins 60, the folding bar 74 is lowered so that the fingers 75 thereon become interdigitated with fingers 72 and 73 on dual bar member 70 of the drape folding and stretching assembly 25. As the folding bar 74 is brought down, the folds of the drapery are tucked between the corresponding fingers so that the interdigitated relationship corresponds with the folds in the drapery as best seen in FIG. 12.

The motor and transmission 27 are then actuated by the operator so as to drive the folding and stretching assembly 25 upwardly which in turn also pushes the drapery support assembly 24 upwardly with it. When the drapery support assembly is raised to a desired height, it is locked in position by releasing foot control pedal 52 and the drape folding and stretching assembly 25 is then lowered by reverse operation of motor and transmission 27 downwardly, which at the same time combs the folds of the drapery located between said interdigitated fingers. The drape folding and stretching assembly can than be completely lowered beneath the drapery and the lower portions of the drapery can be tied or banded. By successive operation of the foot pedal 52, the drapery can then be successively lowered and tied. When the upper portion of the drapery becomes accessible by virtue of lowering the drapery support assembly 24, the handle 63 can be manipulated to compress the scissor linkage 62 thereby bringing all the upper pleats of the drapery together for banding. The drapery is then completely tied or banded and can be readily lifted offthe pins 60 in condition for delivery and/or transportation to the customer.

In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, provision is made for increasing the drapery length capacity of the instant device so that extra long draperies can be accommodated. To accomplish this, the drapery support assembly 24 is constructed in two separate portions, the first being bar which extends between said uprights 23 and carries the pins 41 which are joumaled within said uprights. A second bar 81 is disposed above bar 80 and carries the entire scissor and pin linkage 62 and normally engages member 80 by a pair of bars 82 which engage channels 83 carried at the opposite ends of member 80. As best seen in FIG. 6, the upper member 81 can be lifted out of member 83 and raised substantially thereabove. To provide support during such raising, a pair of crossbars 85 and 86 are connected between bars 80 and 81 in a manner so as to permit said bars to interconnectively separate. Accordingly, to gain additional height capacity for the instant apparatus, a pair of extension bars 90 as shown in FIG. 1A, are inserted into each channel 83 (FIG. 5) of bar 80 with the lower end thereof abutting the drape folding and stretching assembly 25 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Accordingly, when a bar 80 is locked in a fixed position by virtue of ratchet assembly 50, the upward movement of drape folding and stretching assembly 25 will serve to push extension member 90 through channel 83 and lift bar 81 carrying the pin scissor linkage to a height above bar 80 corresponding generally to the length of said extension bars. Each extension bar is provided with an aperture 91 at the lower end thereof so as to engage a spring-loaded pin 93 at each end of bar 80 to lock each extension member 90 in place when the bar 81 has reached its increased position. It will readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art that once extension member 90 has been secured within channel 83 by pin 93, the drapery folding and stretching assembly 25 may then be used to move member 80 upwardly or downwardly which in turn will also raise the pins 60 on scissor assembly 62 on member 81. Thus, a height significantly greater than that of machines of an equivalent standing height of the instant device can now be achieved by this new and novel arrangement.

To restore the bar $1 to its normal position, it is only needed to release pins 93 by a common cable 95 when the drape folding and stretching assembly is directly thereunder so that the drapery folding and stretching assembly 25 can then be power driven downward, thus lowering section d1 while member 80 stands still. When bar 31 returns into contact and engagement with bar 811, the extension bars can then be removed and the apparatus will operate in a manner as previously set forth.

Often during the cleaning of draperies, the hanging dimensions are altered due to shrinkage or the like. Accordingly, it is still another object of the instant invention to provide for stretching draperies back to their original length or even a slight variation thereof if desired by a customer. From the aforestated description of the instant device, it will readily be appreciated that if the drapery can be securely gripped at both the top and lowermost ends, that by operation of the drape folding and stretching assembly 25 in a short power driven downward increment, a stretching of the drapery fabric will occur and such stretching can be closely controlled by the amount of downward movement of the drape folding and stretching assembly. With respect to the upper portion of the drapery, the particular construction and location of the pins 60 in the scissor linkage 62 will, when inserted into each upper pleat of the drapery, permit the drapery to be pulled downwardly with a force sufficient to stretch same without injuring or damaging the drapery while still maintaining a firm grip. in order to firmly grip the lower portion of the draperies in uniform manner, the dual bar member 70 of the drape folding and stretching assembly 25 comprises two independently slideable bars, as which carries fingers '72, and 99 which carries fingers 73. Sliding bars 98 and 99 are mounted on a parallelogram linkage 11111 controlled by a handle 101 whereby upon movement of said handle as best shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, bar 98 will move to the left and member 911 will move to the right thereby closing fingers 72 and fingers 73 together onto interdigitated finger 75 inserted therebetween, thereby clamping the folds of the drapery therebetween at the same time. This clamped position is best seen in FIG. 13. it will readily be appreciated that by clamping both surfaces of the drapery fold, a uniform clamping arrangement is obtained and the lowering of drape folding and stretching assembly 25 as aforestated will uniformly stretch draperies to a desired length. To obtain better gripping characteristics, the fingers may be serrated as depicted for example in F168. 7 and 11.

Turning next to FIGS. 1416, a modified finger clamping arrangement for use with the present invention is shown which eliminates the necessity of having to provide an extra wide finger 75 to accommodate lower and upper fingers being shifted in opposite directions thereon and the mounting of lower and upper fingers on two independent sliding bars.

This is accomplished by providing a unitary bar 103 on which both fingers 1114 which move to the right and 105 which move to the left for clamping purposes, are slideably mounted. Also passing through each finger i and 1115 are a pair of parallel linked bars 107 and 109 both actuated by a handle 1111 on operated arm 111. As best shown in FIG. 16, a washer 113 is affixed to bar 107 at each location adjacent to a finger 10 1 so that when bar 107 is shifted, it will have the effect of shifting every finger 1M in the same direction. Similar washers 11 1 are affixed to bar 109 abutting each finger W5 when said finger is in its open position thereby shifting each finger 1115 in the same direction as bar 109 when bar 11159 is shifted. From the foregoing and with reference to FlGS. 1d and 15, it will readily be appreciated that the shifting of handle arm 110 will affect the opening and closing of fingers 1114 and 105 onto each finger 115 which are mounted on the modified folding bar 117 (FIGS. 14 and To further assist the opening of fingers 11M and 1115, springs 1111 are provided between each cooperative pair of fingers 1M and 1115 so as to separate same when handle 110 is shifted to the solid line position shown in P16. 14.

Turning next to M68. 17-19, still another modified clamping arrangement that find use with the instant invention is depicted. in this modified arrangement, all nonpivoted fingers are mounted on bar 1211 and a unitary shaft 121 which is freely rotatable within all fingers, passes through all said fingers. Washers 123 are affixed to bar 121 adjacent to each finger and 131. Each pair of fingers 130 and 131 are pivoted at common points 132 on a bar 12 1). By affixing each washer 123 at the same angle as the rear portion of each finger 130 and 131, the rotation of shaft 121 results in said washers 123 rotating in a manner so as to cam each pair of fingers 130 and 131 together onto each corresponding interdigitated finger 115a on folding bar 117a as shown in P10. 18. Referring to FIG. 19, it is seen that this clamping arrangement can be actuated and released by the manual operation of handle 140 which rotates the shaft 121. Springs 135 are provided between each pair of fingers to assist in the separation of said fingers.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with a drapery pleating and folding apparatus of the type having a vertically disposed frame, a drapery support assembly vertically movable on the frame and having a plurality of fasteners thereon in horizontal alignment for attaching the pleats of a drapery thereto with provision for fixedly main taining the drapery support assembly at an elevated position on the frame, said drapery support assembly comprising:

a pin bar support slideably mounted on the frame to move vertically thereon, a pin bar having the plurality of fasteners thereon, connecting means for attaching said pin bar to said pin bar support whereby said pin bar can be vertically moved independent of said pin bar support, between a position substantially adjacent said pin bar support and at least one position substantially separated from said pin bar support, whereby when said pin bar is substantially separated from said pin bar support and said pin bar support is at a substantially uppermost position on the frame, said pin bar will be positioned substantially higher than the frame thereby permitting draperies longer than the height of the frame to freely hand from said pin bar.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a pair of crossbars each said crossbar having one end hingeably attached to said pin bar support and the other end hingeably attached to said pin bar, each said crossbars having one end slideably attached in addition to being hingeably attached to the pin bar or said pin bar support thereby permitting said independent movement of said pin bar relative to said pin bar support.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including means for maintaining said pin bar substantially separated from said pin bar support.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for maintaining said pin bar substantially separated from said pin bar support comprises at least one rigid extension bar interposed between said pin bar support and pin bar when said pin bar is in a substantially separated position.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pin bar support includes channel means for slideably receiving said extension bar whereby said extension bar may be utilized for lifting said pin bar by pushing said extension bar upwardly through said channel means into abutment with said pin bar and additionally upward thereby lifting said pin bar to a position substantially separated from said pin bar support.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said pin bar support includes releasable latching means for affixing said extension bar within said channel means when said extension bar is maintaining said pin bar in a position substantially separated from said pin bar support.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plurality of fasteners on said pin bar are upwardly disposed pins mounted on an extendable scissor linkage which is slideably mounted on said pin bar.

31. For use with a drapery pleating and folding apparatus of the type having a vertically disposed frame, a drapery support assembly vertically movable on the frame and having a plurality of fasteners thereon in horizontal alignment for attaching the pleats of a drapery thereto with the provision for fixedly maintaining the drapery support assembly at an elevated position on the frame, said provision for fixedly maintaining the drapery support assembly at an elevated position on the frame comprising:

at least one chain affixed to the drapery support assembly and passing over a sprocket rotatably mounted at an upper portion of the frame, and down to a counter weight, ratchet and brake drum means affixed to said sprocket and rotatable therewith, and ratchet-engaging and brakedrum-engaging means progressively controlled by a single operative means whereby a slight activation of said single operative means disengages said ratchet and a greater activation of said single operative means releases said brakedrum-engaging means from engagement with said brakedrum means.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said single operative means comprises a foot-engageable lever.

10. For use with a drapery pleating and folding apparatus of the type having a vertically disposed frame, a drapery support assembly carried on said frame disposed horizontally, and having a plurality of fasteners thereon in horizontal alignment for attaching the pleats of a drapery thereto, and a drapery folding and stretching assembly carried on the frame for combing the folds of the drapery for smoothing and folding purposes and selectively gripping the folds so that by increasing the distance between the drapery support assembly and the drapery folding and stretching assembly, the drapery secured therebetween will be stretched, said drapery folding and stretching assembly comprising:

a first horizontal member carrying a plurality of spaced pairs of drapery fold engaging fingers thereon and a second horizontal member carrying a plurality of drapery fold engaging fingers thereon, said first member and second member mounted with respect to one another whereby each said finger on said second horizontal member may be moved in and out of an interdigitated relationship with a corresponding pair of said spaced pairs of fingers on said first horizontal member, and means whereby each finger in each said spaced pair of fingers can be selectively shifted generally laterally towards a finger on said second horizontal member interdigitated between said pair thereby gripping the folds of a drapery between each pair of said spaced pairs of fingers and the fingers interdigitated therebetween.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first horizontal member comprises a pair of horizontal bars, one generally overlying the other, the upper bar carrying a complement of spaced generally horizontally aligned fingers thereon with each said finger comprising one finger of said spaced pairs of fingers, the lower bar carrying a complement of spaced generally horizontally aligned fingers thereon with each said finger comprising one finger of said spaced pairs of fingers, and means for laterally shifting said upper bar and said lower bar horizontally, each in an opposite direction to the other, whereby upon both said upper and lower bars being laterally shifted, each said pair of spaced pairs of fingers will close upon or open from a said finger on said second horizontal member interdigitated between said pair of fingers.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim ll wherein said means for laterally shifting said upper and lower bars shifts said bars simultaneously.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means for laterally shifting said upper and lower bars is manually operable.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein each finger in each said spaced pair of fingers is slideably mounted on a common horizontal bar and said means for shifting each pair of said spaced pairs of fingers together or apart in a generally horizontal lateral movement comprises a pair of rods laterally shiftable in opposite directions, with the first rod having means abutting the left finger in each said spaced pair and the second rod having means abutting the right finger in each said spaced pair, whereupon the lateral shifting of said pair or rods selectively closes and opens each said pair of spaced pairs of fingers so as to grip a fold ofa drapery and a finger on said second horizontal member inserted therebetween.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein each said pair of spaced pairs of fingers on said first horizontal member are pivotally mounted at their rearward portion whereby their frontal drapery fold engaging portions open and close upon each other and said means for shifting the frontal portion of each spaced pair of fingers together or apart in a generally horizontal lateral movement comprises at least one rotatable rod having first camming means affixed thereon adjacent each left finger of each said spaced pairs of fingers and second camming means affixed thereon adjacent each right finger of each said spaced pair or fingers whereupon selective rotation of said rotatable rod said first and second camming means will engage their respective left and right fingers thereby opening or closing each said spaced pair of fingers upon each said corresponding finger on said second horizontal member interdigitated therebetween.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein each said spaced pair of fingers are spring biased apart. 

1. For use with a drapery pleating and folding apparatus of the type having a vertically disposed frame, a drapery support assembly vertically movable on the frame and having a plurality of fasteners thereon in horizontal alignment for attaching the pleats of a drapery thereto with provision for fixedly maintaining the drapery support assembly at an elevated position on the frame, said drapery support assembly comprising: a pin bar support slideably mounted on the frame to move vertically thereon, a pin bar having the plurality of fasteners thereon, connecting means for attaching said pin bar to said pin bar support whereby said pin bar can be vertically moved independent of said pin bar support, between a position substantially adjacent said pin bar support and at least one position substantially separated from said pin bar support, whereby when said pin bar is substantially separated from said pin bar support and said pin bar support is at a substantially uppermost position on the frame, said pin bar will be positioned substantially higher than the frame thereby permitting draperies longer than the height of the frame to freely hand from said pin bar.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a pair of crossbars each Said crossbar having one end hingeably attached to said pin bar support and the other end hingeably attached to said pin bar, each said crossbars having one end slideably attached in addition to being hingeably attached to the pin bar or said pin bar support thereby permitting said independent movement of said pin bar relative to said pin bar support.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including means for maintaining said pin bar substantially separated from said pin bar support.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for maintaining said pin bar substantially separated from said pin bar support comprises at least one rigid extension bar interposed between said pin bar support and pin bar when said pin bar is in a substantially separated position.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pin bar support includes channel means for slideably receiving said extension bar whereby said extension bar may be utilized for lifting said pin bar by pushing said extension bar upwardly through said channel means into abutment with said pin bar and additionally upward thereby lifting said pin bar to a position substantially separated from said pin bar support.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said pin bar support includes releasable latching means for affixing said extension bar within said channel means when said extension bar is maintaining said pin bar in a position substantially separated from said pin bar support.
 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plurality of fasteners on said pin bar are upwardly disposed pins mounted on an extendable scissor linkage which is slideably mounted on said pin bar.
 8. For use with a drapery pleating and folding apparatus of the type having a vertically disposed frame, a drapery support assembly vertically movable on the frame and having a plurality of fasteners thereon in horizontal alignment for attaching the pleats of a drapery thereto with the provision for fixedly maintaining the drapery support assembly at an elevated position on the frame, said provision for fixedly maintaining the drapery support assembly at an elevated position on the frame comprising: at least one chain affixed to the drapery support assembly and passing over a sprocket rotatably mounted at an upper portion of the frame, and down to a counter weight, ratchet and brake drum means affixed to said sprocket and rotatable therewith, and ratchet-engaging and brakedrum-engaging means progressively controlled by a single operative means whereby a slight activation of said single operative means disengages said ratchet and a greater activation of said single operative means releases said brakedrum-engaging means from engagement with said brakedrum means.
 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said single operative means comprises a foot-engageable lever.
 10. For use with a drapery pleating and folding apparatus of the type having a vertically disposed frame, a drapery support assembly carried on said frame disposed horizontally, and having a plurality of fasteners thereon in horizontal alignment for attaching the pleats of a drapery thereto, and a drapery folding and stretching assembly carried on the frame for combing the folds of the drapery for smoothing and folding purposes and selectively gripping the folds so that by increasing the distance between the drapery support assembly and the drapery folding and stretching assembly, the drapery secured therebetween will be stretched, said drapery folding and stretching assembly comprising: a first horizontal member carrying a plurality of spaced pairs of drapery fold engaging fingers thereon and a second horizontal member carrying a plurality of drapery fold engaging fingers thereon, said first member and second member mounted with respect to one another whereby each said finger on said second horizontal member may be moved in and out of an interdigitated relationship with a corresponding pair of said spaced pairs of finGers on said first horizontal member, and means whereby each finger in each said spaced pair of fingers can be selectively shifted generally laterally towards a finger on said second horizontal member interdigitated between said pair thereby gripping the folds of a drapery between each pair of said spaced pairs of fingers and the fingers interdigitated therebetween.
 11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first horizontal member comprises a pair of horizontal bars, one generally overlying the other, the upper bar carrying a complement of spaced generally horizontally aligned fingers thereon with each said finger comprising one finger of said spaced pairs of fingers, the lower bar carrying a complement of spaced generally horizontally aligned fingers thereon with each said finger comprising one finger of said spaced pairs of fingers, and means for laterally shifting said upper bar and said lower bar horizontally, each in an opposite direction to the other, whereby upon both said upper and lower bars being laterally shifted, each said pair of spaced pairs of fingers will close upon or open from a said finger on said second horizontal member interdigitated between said pair of fingers.
 12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for laterally shifting said upper and lower bars shifts said bars simultaneously.
 13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means for laterally shifting said upper and lower bars is manually operable.
 14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein each finger in each said spaced pair of fingers is slideably mounted on a common horizontal bar and said means for shifting each pair of said spaced pairs of fingers together or apart in a generally horizontal lateral movement comprises a pair of rods laterally shiftable in opposite directions, with the first rod having means abutting the left finger in each said spaced pair and the second rod having means abutting the right finger in each said spaced pair, whereupon the lateral shifting of said pair or rods selectively closes and opens each said pair of spaced pairs of fingers so as to grip a fold of a drapery and a finger on said second horizontal member inserted therebetween.
 15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein each said pair of spaced pairs of fingers on said first horizontal member are pivotally mounted at their rearward portion whereby their frontal drapery fold engaging portions open and close upon each other and said means for shifting the frontal portion of each spaced pair of fingers together or apart in a generally horizontal lateral movement comprises at least one rotatable rod having first camming means affixed thereon adjacent each left finger of each said spaced pairs of fingers and second camming means affixed thereon adjacent each right finger of each said spaced pair or fingers whereupon selective rotation of said rotatable rod said first and second camming means will engage their respective left and right fingers thereby opening or closing each said spaced pair of fingers upon each said corresponding finger on said second horizontal member interdigitated therebetween.
 16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein each said spaced pair of fingers are spring biased apart. 